PROS: Gordon is an explosive scorer who can unilaterally carry a team in clutch moments. Possessed with an extraordinarily quick shot release, Gordon can finish, drain treys and score every which-way in between these extremes. CONS: Although listed at 6-foot-3, Gordon is barely a 6-footer. As such, he's routinely overwhelmed on defense at the shooting guard slot. Trouble is, he's incapable of effectively running an offense at the point. So his only "defense" is to outscore whomever he's guarding.PROGNOSIS: If he's serious about accepting a sixth-man role, then Gordon will be one of the most productive bench scorers in the league. In truth, replacing Allen Iverson with Gordon is virtually a lateral move. Charlie Villanueva to the Pistons

PROS: Another dynamic point-minded player, Villaneuva is a taller (6-foot-11) version of Gordon with the height differential necessarily leading to several major differences: Villanueva is more of a mid-range scorer and a much better rebounder. Like Gordon, he can get his points with no discernible help from his teammates. Like Gordon, he's capable of 30-plus point outbursts. And like Gordon, he's unafraid to take big shots.CONS: Like Gordon, Villanueva is a poor defender, is useless without the ball in his hands and is an inept passer.PROGNOSIS: A stepped-up offense coupled with a stepped-down defense. Given this imbalance it's incumbent on Joe Dumars to continue to redesign Detroit's roster.

I don't agree, how is replacing AI with BG a lateral move? AI choked up our offence and dominated the ball at times, BG is a volume shooter which can help spread the floor for our bigs (if we still have any).

I don't agree, how is replacing AI with BG a lateral move? AI choked up our offence and dominated the ball at times, BG is a volume shooter which can help spread the floor for our bigs (if we still have any).

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Also, 24 years old vs. 34?
6th man of the year vs. tried the bench for 1 game and didn't like it
.543 TS% vs. .489
$11M/year vs. $20M.
Siv vs. ... well, siv

Well, 26 years old. But a LOT can happen in 8 years. Even the 5 year difference between Rip and BG is huge.

And the internets unanimously seem to be calling Dumars a dumbass for overpaying two role players, except the Gordon sympathizers in Chicago, and most Pistons fans. Their analysis seems to not go very far beneath the surface, but I'm pretty sure that Joe knows more than some internet basketball fans. It does kinda irritate me that Joe seemingly bid against himself and BG's agent, but I don't think its a bad contract; it could just be a better one.

I think AI is the better player, but I think Gordon has more room to grow and at his salary, is the bargain.

Gordon doesn't have to defend the SG, he can switch with Stuckey and defend the 1.

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At this point? Gordon is definitely the better player IMO. Last year the guy shot 45% from the field (something AI has only done twice in 13 years) which is pretty impressive considering the type of shots he is taking.

And BG has more games shooting over 45 percent than he does below 45 percent. And even if he does have one of those days where he looks to be going 4-19, pull the plug on him and give somebody else some burn.

Well, 26 years old. But a LOT can happen in 8 years. Even the 5 year difference between Rip and BG is huge.

And the internets unanimously seem to be calling Dumars a dumbass for overpaying two role players, except the Gordon sympathizers in Chicago, and most Pistons fans. Their analysis seems to not go very far beneath the surface, but I'm pretty sure that Joe knows more than some internet basketball fans. It does kinda irritate me that Joe seemingly bid against himself and BG's agent, but I don't think its a bad contract; it could just be a better one.

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Since when did averaging over 20ppg on a playoff team make a guy a role player?

Also Ben is not making $11M this year, it's a shade under $9M. The year where we actually PAY Ben $11M, we will be raving at how we got a steal.

Also CV is going to make less than $6M this year, just above the MLE, since when was it easy to get a 24 year old 6'11" PF, avg'ng 16pts/7rbs who can score from ANYWHERE for the MLE???? No, we're getting STEALS.

Role players as in that they are not first options on contenders. Whether it be skill or size. Ben Gordon is pretty average in most other facets of his game but he can definitely fill that niche and score us points by himself.

Again, my only beef with this deal was that Joe had, from what we hear, NO competition to raise up the asking price.

And CV? We're just gonna have to wait and see. I see the numbers, I hear the scouting reports, and I've actually warmed up a little to him. But putting up stats on bad teams is different than putting them up on good ones (which we may be again in 2010).

Role players as in that they are not first options on contenders. Whether it be skill or size. Ben Gordon is pretty average in most other facets of his game but he can definitely fill that niche and score us points by himself.

Again, my only beef with this deal was that Joe had, from what we hear, NO competition to raise up the asking price.

And CV? We're just gonna have to wait and see. I see the numbers, I hear the scouting reports, and I've actually warmed up a little to him. But putting up stats on bad teams is different than putting them up on good ones (which we may be again in 2010).

Since when did averaging over 20ppg on a playoff team make a guy a role player?

Also Ben is not making $11M this year, it's a shade under $9M. The year where we actually PAY Ben $11M, we will be raving at how we got a steal.

Also CV is going to make less than $6M this year, just above the MLE, since when was it easy to get a 24 year old 6'11" PF, avg'ng 16pts/7rbs who can score from ANYWHERE for the MLE???? No, we're getting STEALS.

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Makes sense to me. Besides Gordan is getting about 2 mil less per year on avg than Billups and he is 7 years younger. So you can build another team around him.

The old Pistons lost me when they laid down against the Cavs in 07. Its like they did not even care. Who wants to follow a team like that - I am glad we are getting a new one.

You do realize your talking about 5 players right. I'm sure if Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Duncan or Dwight Howard were available in Free Agency and we could get them to Sign a 5yr/$55M dollar deal Joe would have done it.

Some folk seem to think that we can blow this upcoming season, go 32-50, have a ton of cap money next year and players like LeBron, Wade and Bosh will leave their playoff teams to play with Rodney Stuckey, on a sub .500 team in a city the rest of the country refers to as an abandoned crap-hole.

Good Job JOE!!!! Joe signed legitimate talent, point blank period, at very reasonable prices. Some of y'all really think Tyson Chandler and David Lee are real ball players.....HAH!!!!!!